How To Break Free From Post Coming Out Depression

Have you felt depressed since coming out? I remember being so anxious to relieve the anxiety of hiding in the closet that I didn't even consider what my life would be like after I came out. On one hand, I felt reborn and loved the excitement of finally being me. On the other, I felt lost. What about a relationship? What about friends? What about family? My frustration at answering (or in some cases avoiding) these questions led me down a path of sadness.

"When you're depressed it can feel like you are barely existing," writes Nancy Schimelpfening, About.com's Guide to Depression, in her article Top 8 Tips for Living with Depression. I knew exactly what Nancy was saying. She continued, "By obtaining the correct medical intervention and learning better coping skills, however, you can not only live with depression, but live well." At first I thought I'd never break free from my sadness, but eventually I found my way.

Are you feeling lost or depressed after coming out? Understand the basics of depression, learn how to recognize the symptoms and get the best treatment options that can help you overcome post coming out depression.

Discussion on Depression:
"My best friend since High School (and current girlfriend) recently came out to her parents. Since we're both in our final year of college we live together. Needless to say, they were... less then thrilled to put it mildly. They pretty much disowned her. They yelled and her father even went as far as to hit her. She's been depressed and rarely shows any emotion. She just goes through the motions of the day, not really seeing or feeling anything and it scares me..." (more)

_{Image © Dipu Das.}